By Andrew Warshaw at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in London
July 21 – Fabrice Muamba, the Premier League footballer who almost died after suffering a cardiac arrest in an FA Cup tie late last season, is set to carry the Olympic Torch today.
The Bolton Wanderers’ midfielder (pictured) moved to the London borough of Waltham Forest from the Democratic Republic of Congo when he was 11 and will be the centre of attention as the Torch Relay reaches London’s suburbs with over 10,000 spectators expected to line the streets.
“As an ex-Waltham Forest schoolboy Fabrice Muamba has strong ties with the borough and has seen the area transform in the run up to the Olympic Games,” said Chris Robbins, the Leader of Waltham Forest Council.
“His drive, courage and determination to return to top-flight football have been remarkable and he has proved to be a great role model to Waltham Forest’s young people.”
In an incident that made worldwide headlines, Muamba needed life-saving treatment when he collapsed on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur’s White Hart Lane ground on March 17.
The 24-year-old, whose heart stopped for 78 minutes, spent four weeks in hospital where he made a remarkable recovery, prompting tributes from across the game including FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
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